On-campus housing provides services for healthy living, safety

The close proximity of Campus Health, the SRC, Rams Head Recreation and multiple dining options makes on-campus residential life ideal for many students.

UNC Housing offers a plethora of services to its residents, including many opportunities for healthy and safe living.

Dr. Mary Covington of Campus Health said dorm life can get very hectic.

“Living in a communal environment can be exciting and stimulating-so much so that students forget they need to nourish and replenish their body’s immune system,” she said. “They need to get at least 7-8 hours of sleep, eat nourishing and healthy foods, and exercise to keep their body strong.”

Larry Hicks, director of Housing and Residential Education, said the majority of safety violations reported by on-campus residents have come from residents not locking their doors when they leave the room or when they are sleeping.

“We’ve never had a residence hall room broken into that was locked,” he said.

The University’s partnership with Alert Carolina is important to this mission, said Randy Young, public safety’s information liaison officer.

“(Alert Carolina) makes the whole campus more conscious of incidents and stirs people to take more precautionary measures,” he said.

Young said the University is trying to create an environment in which the reporting of incidents is supported.

“If you see something, say something,” he said. “That is going to create a better environment in residence halls, on campus, in the arboretum, etc.”

In terms of health, Hicks said the immediacy of recreation centers is a plus.

“There’s dozens upon dozens of programs at student rec for students to join to get healthy and remain healthy,” he said.

Covington said Campus Health works hard to give students information about potential health risks.

“We work to identify any communicable disease issues and get information to students that will minimize their chances of getting sick and help them get well faster,” she said.

Hicks said the housing department has also found ways to combat the effects of illness in group living situations, particularly during this year’s excessively heavy flu season.

“We encourage the flu buddy system where you can go and get food for your roommate if they get the flu,” he said. “We can’t overstress students getting a flu shot because that is probably the biggest (illness) deterrent that we have.”

Sophomore Jessica Zambrano said she makes sure to stay healthy by working out and eating well.

“I go to the gym and I do not eat a whole cheesecake every day,” she said. “I wash my hands, sanitize and take showers.”

Hicks said the size of the University community helps students feel like they always have someone in their corner.

“It’s definitely a large community, but the fact that we have a lot of people around looking after each other is really helpful.”

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